Wild, Backstrom agree to 3-year deal

St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Wild retained their
starting goaltender, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with Niklas
Backstrom on Monday.

Backstrom, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, went
24-15-3 with a 2.48 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and two
shutouts over 42 appearances for the Wild this past season. The 35-year-old
also managed to set a franchise mark with his eight-game win streak from March
14-30

However, an undisclosed injury suffered during warmups prior to Game 1 of the
first round against the Blackhawks kept him from the ice during the
postseason. Backstrom then underwent successful surgery to repair a sports
hernia in mid-May.

A 2009 Vezina Trophy finalist and all-time club leader in victories,
Backstrom has racked up a record of 184-124-45 with a 2.43 GAA, .917 save
percentage and 28 shutouts in 369 games for Minnesota since 2006.